Today's Headlines & Columnists

If you have difficulty viewing this newsletter, click here to view as a Web page. Click here to view in plain text. Saturday, June 25, 2011 TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS N.Y. Senate votes to legalize same-sex marriage Given the state's population, the vote essentially doubles the number of Americans who can gain access to same-sex marriage licenses, which previously have been available in five states and the District of Columbia. (By Sandhya Somashekhar) House rejects Obama's Libya policy Lawmakers defeated a resolution that would have authorized the mission, but stopped short of trying to cut funding for it. (By David A. Fahrenthold) CEO pay vs. worker pay Corporations line up to block rules that would force companies to disclose comparison data. (By Peter Whoriskey) Nats appear to have their man Davey Johnson, 68, is expected to replace interim manager John McLaren. Johnson and the Nats were still engaged in final negotiations late Friday night, but agreed in principle. (By Adam Kilgore) Google's dominance draws new scrutiny Government regulators are examining whether the tech giant improperly promotes its products and blocks competitors. (By Jia Lynn Yang) POLITICS From Taliban taxes to shakedowns, US military presence hasn't changed daily Afghan corruption WASHINGTON — The farmer picking apples in the outskirts of Kabul must pay the Taliban $33 to ship out each truckload of fruit. The governor sends in armed men to chase workers off job sites if the official bribes aren't paid. Poor neighborhoods never get their U.N.-provided wheat, long since sold on the black market. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Guest lineup for the Sunday news shows WASHINGTON — Guest lineup for the Sunday TV news shows: ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) (, The Washington Post) Angry House declares Obama lacks Libya war authority _ but stops short of cutting off funding WASHINGTON — Challenging presidential power, a defiant U.S. House voted overwhelmingly Friday to deny President Barack Obama the authority to wage war against Libya. But Republicans fell short in an effort to actually cut off funds for the operation in a constitutional showdown reflecting both political differences and unease over American involvement. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) N.Y. votes to legalize same-sex marriage Given the state's population, the vote essentially doubles the number of Americans who can gain access to same-sex marriage licenses, which previously have been available in five states and the District of Columbia. ( by Sandhya Somashekhar , The Washington Post) STYLE Ask Amy: Bad groom gives cousin pre-wedding jitters My cousin and I were very close until she started dating a guy I don't like and don't want to spend time with. I have more or less ceased contact with her because I dislike this man so strongly. Should I discuss this with her? (, Tribune Media Service) Hints From Heloise: A change in pets? For several years, Heloise has dedicated her Saturday column to pets. Should she spread her pet advice throughout the week? (, King) Some solutions to life's problems Readers give advice on how to manage hair-pulling issues. (, The Washington Post) Where Indian music feels at home The sort of music rooms once maintained by maharajahs have been transplanted to Washington suburbs. ( by Mark Jenkins Special to The Washington Post , The Washington Post) To the bars of Spain: ¡Salud! A drinking tour of Spain, the country with the most bars per capita in the world! ( by Jason Wilson Special to The Washington Post , The Washington Post) SPORTS Friday's Sports In Brief With training camps set to open in another month, NFL owners and players will resume negotiations next week, hoping to build on recent talks, two people familiar with the discussions told The Associated Press on Friday. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Bucks eager to see what draft picks Tobias Harris, Jon Leuer can do MILWAUKEE — For John Hammond and the Milwaukee Bucks, it was a busy and fruitful couple of hours. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Indiana native George Hill having mixed feelings after Spurs trade him to hometown Pacers SAN ANTONIO — George Hill grew up wanting to play for his hometown Indiana Pacers. He was a high school and college star in Indianapolis, and just last month, decorated his torso with a giant tattoo in the shape of Indiana. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) McHale reels in confident newcomers on day after draft HOUSTON — New Rockets coach Kevin McHale, a brash talker himself when he played for the Boston Celtics, smiled as he reeled in the team's latest acquisitions at an introductory news conference. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Nationals score 4 in 14th to beat White Sox 9-5 in their first game since Riggleman resigned CHICAGO — Their manager quit, and their interim skipper was ejected in his first game in the new role. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) WORLD Car bomb kills 25 outside Afghan hospital KABUL, Afghanistan — An Afghan official says the death toll from a car bombing outside a medical clinic in eastern Afghanistan has risen to at least 25. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Bulgarian border police uses night-vision equipment to protect cherry farms from thieves KONYAVO, Bulgaria — Bulgarian forces with night-vision goggles appear to be winning an extraordinary fight over thieves seeking to make off with this year's lucrative cherry harvest. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov elected head of pro-business, Kremlin-friendly party MOSCOW — Russian tycoon and New Jersey Nets basketball team owner Mikhail Prokhorov has been confirmed as the new head of a Kremlin-friendly political party. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Hundreds of Syrians flee to Lebanon; activists raise Friday death toll to 20 BEIRUT — Hundreds of Syrians, some of them with gunshot wounds, streamed into neighboring Lebanon on Saturday in search of a refuge from the increasing violence in their homeland, a Lebanese security official said. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Afghan officials say at least 15 dead in car bombing outside hospital in eastern Afghanistan KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghan officials say at least 15 dead in car bombing outside hospital in eastern Afghanistan. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) LIVE DISCUSSIONS The Mil Life: Keeping spouses' careers, education off the chopping block Military wives discuss keeping a career and educational goals through deployments. (, vForum) The Web Hostess: Online manners, memes and must-see video A weekly chat about the best ways to kill time online. Our Web Hostess, Monica Hesse, sifts the Internet so you don't have to, searching for meaning, manners and the next great meme. (, vForum) Real Wheels Live Live online discussion with Real Wheels columnist Warren Brown about car-buying and the auto industry. (, vForum) Lisa de Moraes on the TV Column Post TV columnist Lisa de Moraes is back and ready to chat about all the drama, comedy and heartbreak of the world of television -- both onscreen and behind-the-scenes! (, vForum) Lisa de Moraes on the TV Column Post TV columnist Lisa de Moraes is back and ready to chat about all the drama, comedy and heartbreak of the world of television -- both onscreen and behind-the-scenes! (, vForum) TECHNOLOGY Dear Gene: A Self-Branding Reply To Gene Weingarten's Self-Branding Column About Self-Branding ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) I Found Out About This Gay Marriage Thing On Foursquare ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) Inspired By Wikipedia, Quora Aims For Relevancy With Topic Groups And Reorganized Topic Pages ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) Arizona state police taking steps to check computer system after overseas hackers gain entry PHOENIX — State police said Friday that they are checking the security of the agency's computer system after an attack by hackers and they are investigating to determine the extent of the infiltration. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Weekend Giveaway: A Kobo eReader Touch ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) EDITORIAL (, The Washington Post) BUSINESS Dear Gene: A Self-Branding Reply To Gene Weingarten's Self-Branding Column About Self-Branding ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) I Found Out About This Gay Marriage Thing On Foursquare ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) Inspired By Wikipedia, Quora Aims For Relevancy With Topic Groups And Reorganized Topic Pages ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) Obama, lawmakers to meet on debt White House says Obama will begin meetings with key lawmakers next week. But a quick compromise seems unlikely as House Speaker Boehner reiterates pledge to oppose an increase in taxes. ( By Felicia Sonmez and Lori Montgomery , The Washington Post) A 'bail-in' proposal for Greece Talks are underway to persuade investors who hold Greek bonds to leave their money in place. ( by Howard Schneider , The Washington Post) Get The Washington Post, your way. Want to stay on top of the latest news, features, commentary and more? Here's how: Mobile: Alerts: Social Media: Applications Web site E-mail SMS RSS Feeds Facebook Twitter SEND TO A FRIEND UNSUBSCRIBE E-NEWSLETTER CENTER GET HELP Washington Post Digital E-mail Customer Care 1150 15th Street NW Washington, D.C. 20071 © 2011 The Washington Post Privacy Policy